Committee publication · Correspondence · 7 July 2026
Correspondence from the Minister of State for International Development and Africa relating to the Independent Commission for Aid Impact, 7 July 2026
Summary
Baroness Chapman defends the FCDO's decision to share confidential country-level ODA allocations with the Independent Commission for Aid Impact (ICAI) ahead of publication. She argues this enables ICAI to conduct timely, high-level scrutiny of development funding and aligns with their Framework Agreement, which permits confidential information sharing to support ICAI's independent oversight role.
Key findings
- FCDO shared individual country ODA allocations with ICAI on a confidential basis to support a time-sensitive assessment before summer recess.
- The Framework Agreement between ICAI and FCDO explicitly permits access to unpublished information to enable ICAI's independent scrutiny function.
- Government commits to publishing individual country allocations before or as part of the FCDO's Annual Report and Accounts.
- Minister argues confidential information sharing is necessary to maintain an effective working relationship and enable timely, informed scrutiny by ICAI.
Tone
ProceduralTopics
international-developmentpublic-financetransparencyaid-oversight
Key actors
Baroness Chapman of Darlington, Sarah Champion MP, FCDO, ICAI (Independent Commission for Aid Impact), International Development Committee
Notable line
“Our sharing individual country allocations with ICAI for a specific and time-sensitive purpose is entirely in keeping with our previous commitments to the Committee to ensure …”
Key Quotes
“We remain committed to publishing the individual country allocations before, or as part of, the FCDO's Annual Report and Accounts.”
“ICAI requires access to information, including information that is not yet in the public domain, in order to fulfil its independent scrutiny role effectively.”
“The Agreement provides for sensitive information shared with ICAI to be protected, which is critical to maintaining an effective working relationship between ICAI and the FCDO and enabling ICAI to carry out timely and informed scrutiny.”
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